Apparatus for erecting shelving

ABSTRACT

Removable shelver apparatus for and method of assembling a plurality of metal shelves into an integral shelving unit in a horizontal position and then erecting the shelving unit to a vertical position. Shelves are vertically placed in spaced relationship on a rectangular upper frame which is pivotally mounted on one end to and horizontally disposed on a rectangular lower base frame. Adjustable extensions having associated gripping means are connected to the upper frame and hold the metal shelves in place while structural members are bolted to the shelves to form an integral shelving unit. Locking means bias the shelving unit to the upper frame as the same is pivoted 90* with respect to the base frame to place the unit in an upright position.

States ateht nu 3,631,578

[72] Inventor Anthony Shangler 3,557,439 l/l97l Dykeman 29/200 A X 300Clearview Drive, Pleasant Hill, Mo. FOREIGN PATENTS [2l l Appl No ggga555,226 8/1943 Great Britain 29/200 [22] Filed Nov. 20, 1969 PrimaryExaminer-John F. Campbell [45] Patented Jan. 4, 1972 AssistantExaminer-Victor A. DiPalma Attorney-Scofield, Kokjer, Scofield & Lowe[54] APPARATUS FOR ERECTING SHELVING 7 Claims, 9 Drawing Figs. ABSTRACT:Removable shelver apparatus for and method of assembling a plurality ofmetal shelves into an integral shelv- [52] U.S. Cl ing unit in ahorizontal position and the erecting the shelving [5 l] In't CI B2319/00 unit to a vertical position. Shelves are vertically placed in [50]meid 297200 R spaced relationship on a rectangular upper frame which isB 2l l M pivotally mounted on one end to and horizontally disposed on arectangular lower base frame. Adjustable extensions having [56]References Cited associated gripping means are connected to the upperframe and hold the metal shelves in place while structural membersUNITED STATES PATENTS are bolted to the shelves to form an integralshelving unit. 3,413,703 12/1968 Sar'lfOrd 29/200 B X Locking means biasthe shelving unit to the upper frame as the 3,538,578 l H1970 HelSC etal. 29/200 B Same is pivoted 90 with respect to the base frame to placethe v unit in an upright position.

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` SHEET 2 UF 3 APPARATUS FOR ERECTING SIIELVING BACKGROUND AND SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION For many businesses which handle goods, storage spaceis an exceedingly important consideration. Shelving has long beenrecognized as a solution to the problem of storage space. Where the needis particularly acute as for example in warehouses, stock rooms, and thelike, shelving of metal construction is employed for its superiorstrength and durability.

A typical metal shelf can be characterized as a piece of sheet metal inthe form of a rectangle with its edges turned down to form a peripherallip. A plurality of angle irons and cross braces are commonly'bolted toseveral shelves at their peripheral lips to form an integral shelvingconstruction.

In addition to the shelving material, shelving construction represents asizable investment in both time and labor. There has long been the needfor an apparatus and method to speed the assembly and erection of metalshelves, while at the same time to reduce the labor force required forthe assembly and erection of metal shelves.

The primary purpose of this invention is to provide an apparatus andmethod to speed the assembly and erection of metal shelves of the typewhich require structural bracing and bolting in the assembly thereof toprovide stability in the assembled erected product.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device which operates toreduce the cost of shelf assembly and erection be well over 50 percent.

Another object of the invention is to provide a shelf assembling anderecting device which, in addition to greatly reducing the time andlabor required, affords marked safety advantages to personnel andvirtually eliminates any conceivable damage to the shelving during theerection process.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a shelf assemblingand erecting device which serves as a transporter of the assembledshelving in horizontal position to and from the erecting and shelf-usingarea.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device operative to aidin the assembling and erecting of shelving which equally providessavings when used for disassembly and removal or shelf rearrangement.

Another object ofthe invention is to provide a shelver, md ing in bothassembling and erecting, which will make the Federal Prison Industrysshelving competitive with the new proprietary commercial design.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a device for aidingin shelving assembly and construction which can be packaged easily andcompactly for shipping.

Another object of the invention is to provide a shelving unit aiding inshelving assembly, disassembly, erection and removal which, whenoperated by two men, quickly, easily and safely handles shelving unitsweighing up to 1,000 lbs.

Another object of the invention is to provide a smoothly operatingself-powered shelving unit which as a l2-volt hydraulic system and llvolt reel-type outlets for power tools to aid in shelving assembly.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a shelver whichpermits efficient, quick adjustments for achieving desired shelfspacing.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a versatile shelvingerection and removal device which permits for turning, guiding andmoving of same with a minimum effort.

Other and further objects of the invention will appear in the course ofthe following description thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings, which form a part of theinstant specification and are to be read in conjunction therewith, anembodiment of the invention is shown and, in the various views, likenumerals are employed to indicate like parts.

FIG. l, in full lines, is a side view of the shelf lifting andassembling device or shelver with an assembled shelf unit mountedthereon prior to raising of the same; in broken lines,

the shelf assembly and upper frame of the shelver have been fullyelevated.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view of the shelf lifting and assemblingdevice with an assembled shelf mounted thereon prior to raising, theassembled shelf unit locked in place on the shelver; cutaways show theattachment of the hydraulic piston and arm on the frame of the shelverwhich are used to raise or lower the upper frame thereof as theassembled shelving is either raised or lowered with respect to the basicshelver.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the device showing a few shelves (in brokenlines) inserted in a preliminary assembly step. The top bar for lockingthe shelving in place for lifting after assembly (see the top of FIG. 2)is in place for the purposes of illustration but would not nonnally bein place at this stage of assembly.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, side detail, of portions of the device, with theparts in section and cutaway to better illustrate the nature of theinvention; what is shown are large details of the forward and rear ends,in section.

FIG. 5 is an end view of the left end of the device in FIGS. l, 2, 3,and 4, looking from left to right in the views.

FIG. 6 is a partially sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 2 inthe direction of the arrows.

FIG. 7 is a view showing the cross bracing of the shelves either on topof the assembled shelves on the device or through the middle section asa double section of shelves is assembled.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view of one of the side members whichreceive the elongate angle irons at the edges of the shelves or thecomers thereof taken along line 8 8 of FIG. 5 in the direction of thearrows.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8 in thedirection of the arrows.

Referring to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 4 and 6, there isprovided a basic rectangular frame which is made up of two longitudinalbox beam members 20 and 2l joined together at their ends by a pair oftransverse box beam members 22 and 23. Overlying this basic frame is asecondary frame made up of a pair of longitudinal box beams 24 and 25rigidly connected to one another at the ends thereof by box beam members26 and 27 to make the secondary rectangular frame. Rigid wheel brackets28 are fixed to the undersides of longitudinal lower frame members orbeams 20 and 2l at the forward end thereof (to the left in FIGS. l, 2, 3and 4) to receive in rotation wheels 29 therein. Swivel casters 30, atthe rear" end (to the right in FIGS. l, 2, 3 and 4) of said framemembers 20 and 2l, receive rotatable Wheels 3l therein to enable thetotal frame system to be steered" from the rear end thereof.

As best viewed in FIG. 5, a pair of blocks 32 and 33 extend downwardlyfrom the underside of the front member 27 of the upper frame and eachhas an opening therethrough to receive shaft 34. Another pair of blocks35 and 36 are rigidly affixed to the forward face of beam member 23 andextend downwardly along the outer sides of blocks 32 and 33respectively. Likewise, blocks 35 and 36 have central openingstherethrough aligned with the openings in blocks 32 and 33 to receiveshaft 34. Suitable retainer keys or pins 37 and 38 removably retainshaft 34 with respect to said members 32-36, inclusive.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 particularly, at the rear end of the lowerframe, beam 39 is welded or otherwise fixedly attached to the front faceof crossmember 22. To the forward face of beam 39 is attached a pair ofbrackets 40 and 4l. A transverse box beam 43 is fastened between theinside faces of longitudinal beams 24 and 25 of the upper frame. Beam43, in turn, has fixed to its rearward face a pair of brackets 44 and45. A pair of hydraulic cylinders 46 and 47 are connected at theirrearward end to brackets 40 and 41, respectively, while the piston rodsthereof, 48 and 49, respectively, are connected at their forward ends tobrackets 44 and 45. Extension of the rods 48 and 49 in the views ofFIGS. 3 and 4 cause the upper frame to move in a arc to the positionseen in FIG. l.

Hydraulic lines are seen at 50 (extension) and 51 (retraction).Hydraulic pump 52 is provided mounted on the lower frame with reservoir53 and motor 54 driving pump 52 through shaft 55. A battery 56a havingan associated battery charger 56h, is provided as a power source formotor 54.

A pair of electric cord reels 57 and 58 are provided with plug-insthereon for power takeo` from the battery 56a to operate power tools,such as electric Screwdrivers, used to assemble the shelvingconstruction.

Fixed to the outside faces of upper frame longitudinal beams 24 and 2Sare angle irons 59 and 60 (FIGS. 3, 6, 8, and 9 particularly). Member 60has perforations or holes 60a in the horizontal upper surface thereofextending therethrough, while member 59 has openings 59a therethrough.

Fixed to the upper surfaces of the members 59 and 60, but movable,adjustable and refixable thereon, are a plurality of channel irons 61which have, fixed to the rear face thereof, a plurality (two as shown inFIG. 3) of upright sheaths 62 which receive, in telescoping fashion,elongate rod 63 having magnets 64 fixed to the top ends and front facesthereof.

Fixed to the rearward face of transverse front beam member 27 is asocket 65 which receives the front end of a rod 66 which extends thelength of the upper frame and is received at its rearward end in asocket 67 which is fixed to the front face of transverse box beam member26 of the top frame. Rod 66 passes through passage 68 in beam 43. Clamp69 with setscrew 70 threaded thereinto engages rod 66 along its length.Clamp 69 is fixed to the center of rod 7l which is removably connectedby pins 72 to a pair of brackets 73. The latter are fixed to the innerface of elongate beam members 24 and 25. Pins 72 may be moved to one oftwo positions (see in FIG. 4) for a locked position (shown in dottedlines) for the shelves to be assembled, and an unlocked position (shownin full lines).

A plurality of shelf-engaging brackets 74 are mounted along shaft 66,adjustable along the length thereof by setscrews 75.

On the front face of transverse beam 27 there is provided a socket 76 toremovably receive a vertical rod 77 therein. Likewise, on the rearwardface of box beam 26 there is provided a socket 78 adapted to removablyreceive therein another elongate vertical rod or beam 79. Beams or rods77 and 79 have mounted, respectively, at the top ends thereof, clips 80and 81 which are adapted to receive therein an elongate beam or rod 82.Rod 82 has connected to the underside thereofa plurality of adjustablebrackets 83 with magnets 84 on the front faces thereof for a purpose tobe described.

There is fixed to the underside of each beam member 20 and 21 a bracketmember 85 which has pivotally mounted thereon brake means 86. Brakes 86may be put into action, once the device is in place with the shelf readyto be raised, by a simple pivot action on the part of the operator.

In operation of the device seen in the drawings, shelving is assembledand raised as follows. Referring to Flg. 4, as well as FIG. 2, it isassumed that beams 77 and 79 with clips 80 and 81 thereon and the longupper horizontal member 82 are not in place. The channel irons 6l havebeen placed at their desired spacing along the members 59 and 60 andbolted into place. This being the case, then, a plurality of firstshelves 100 are mounted with one side edge thereof received in thechannel irons 61 and with the upper receiving faces thereof gripped bymagnetic force from magnets 64. The application of these shelves intothis engagement is seen centrally of FIG. 4 with the engaged shelvesbeing seen to the left and right thereof. Once the shelves 100 areplaced in the channels 61, then the rod 66 is moved, in FIG. 4 from thefull line to the dotted line position of FIG. 4 to firmly grip theshelves against the channel irons 61 and the upstanding members 62, 63and magnet 64. This is accomplished by moving the bar 7l with bolts 72from the full line position of FIGS. 3 and 4 to the dotted line positionof FIG. 4.

Once the shelving is put into place, or before same is put into place,the elongate corner angle irons (best seen in FIG. 6) 101-104,inclusive, are put into place and bolted or screwed to the shelves 100along their length. The member 60 has at least two additional membersbest seen in FIGS. 3, 8 and 9, which comprise C-shaped members 105removably bolted by bolts 106 to member 60. L-shaped members |07 havinga slot 108 in the horizontal portions thereon are bolted by bolts 109 tomember 105 in order to give an adjustable side limit to the shelvingwhich spaces same to receive the edge angles 101-104, inclusive,previously mentioned.

FIG. 7 shows a top view of a first assembled layer of shelving having,additionally, crossmembers 110 for bracing and stability of the shelvesbolted to the members 103 and 104. Like crossmembers may be attached, ifdesired, to the other sides of the shelves once they are erected. Atthis point, the shelves may be erected in the manner seen in FIG. I,that is, it is not necessary to have a second deck of shelving applied.However, it will be assumed that, for purposes of description, a secondlevel of shelving, as may be seen in FIGS. 1, 6 and 2 are desired to beprovided. Such will now be described.

With the longitudinal members 101 and 102 bolted onto the shelves, themembers 77 and 79 are put into sockets 76 and 78 and longitudinal bar orbeam 82 placed into clips 80. Suspended downwardly from bar 82 is theplurality of members 83 which have magnets 84 thereon and which havebeen adjusted to the spacing of the shelves. The longitudinal members103 and 104 are next laid on the shelves 100 and followed bylongitudinal members 111 and 112 to form a T-shaped elongate connector.The crossmembers 110 can then be applied, followed by a second set ofshelves 115, and the entire assembly is bolted together.

There are several ways in which the two sets of shelving can be boltedtogether with the bracing. At any rate, with the shelving bolted to forman integral construction, the bar 82 and member 79 are removed and theunit is ready for erection to the position seen in FIG. l.

To erect, the pressure cylinders 46 and 47 are energized through hoses50 from pump 52 and the piston arms 48 and 49 extended. This pivots theentire top rectangular frame, consisting of members 24, 25, 26 and 27around shaft 34 whereby the entire assembly is erected as may be seen inin FIG. 1.

With the shelving unit in the upright position, the locking bar 71 ismoved to the full line position of FIGS. 3 and 4, thus unlocking theshelves from the rectangular frame, and the shelver is backed away fromthe shelving unit.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one welladapted to attain all of the ends and objects hereinabove set forthtogether with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherentto the structure.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are ofutility and may be employed without reference to other features andsubcombinations.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the invention withoutdeparting from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that all matterherein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings is to beinterpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. Apparatus for assembling and erecting shelving comprising:

a first lower rectangular frame,

a second upper rectangular frame,

said second frame pivotally mounted at one end thereof with respect toone end of said lower frame, whereby to be erectable at relative theretowhile normally overlying same in parallel relationship,

means on the upper surface of said second frame for receiving andgripping a plurality of shelves in spaced array, means forcircumferentially gripping an assembled shelf array to said second framefor erection therewith,

and means for erecting said second frame at 90 to said first frame.

2. Apparatus as in claim l including the means on the upper surface ofsaid second frame for receiving and gripping a plurality of shelves inspaced array longitudinally adjustable thereon.

said second frame at to said first frame include at least one hydraulicpiston connecting between said first and second frame.

7. Apparatus as in claim l wherein said means for gripping said shelveson said second frame include an elongate rod having a plurality of anglemembers thereon movable from a nongripping position to a grippingposition of the lower portions of said shelves when sarne are mounted onsaid second frame.

1. Apparatus for assembling and erecting shelving comprising: a firstlower rectangular frame, a second upper rectangular frame, said secondframe pivotally mounted at one end thereof with respect to one end ofsaid lower frame, whereby to be erectable at 90* relative thereto whilenormally overlying same in parallel relationship, means on the uppersurface of said second frame for receiving and gripping a plurality ofshelves in spaced array, means for circumferentially gripping anassembled shelf array to said second frame for erection therewith, andmeans for erecting said second frame at 90* to said first frame. 2.Apparatus as in claim 1 including the means on the upper surface of saidsecond frame for receiving and gripping a plurality of shelves in spacedarray longitudinally adjustable thereon.
 3. Apparatus as in claim 1wherein the means for gripping the shelves on said second frame aremagnetic at least in part.
 4. Apparatus as in claim 1 including wheelsmounted on the underside of said first frame.
 5. Apparatus as in claim 1including vertical beams at each end of said second frame and ahorizontal beam connectable therebetween with means suspended therefromfor gripping and holding a second set of shelves in spaced array forassembly into a total unit.
 6. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein saidmeans for erecting said second frame at 90* to said first frame includeat least one hydraulic piston connecting between said first and secondframe.
 7. Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said means for gripping saidshelves on said second frame include an elongate rod having a pluralityof angle members thereon movable from a nongripping position to agripping position of the lower portions of said shelves when same aremounted on said second frame.